Date:         Sun, 13 Nov 2005 14:04:02 -0500
Reply-To:     Paul Guzyk <paullist@GUZYK.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Paul Guzyk <paullist@GUZYK.COM>
Subject:      Re: Clear title??? exportation
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Aside from ownership/bank liens, a clear title also helps prove the vehicle was not "written off" in an accident or floor/fire damage etc.  This will often show up as a "salvage" titled vehicle.

The best thing you can do it get a carfax (or autocheck) membership and do a VIN check on any vehicle you are considering to purchase.  The money spent will be well worth it...you'll know if the vehicle has clear title, where it's been registered, approximately the number of owners, etc.

In the US, to transfer ownership you need the original title which is generally a high security document that cannot be copied.  (think stock certificate or currency).  In many states, it will be very obvious if the title is from a salvage vehicle.
In California you can see any special designations in a red box in the upper right corner of the Title.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr33.htm


You will need the Title to export the vehicle from the US and to bring it into Canada.  From what I know, you can fax copies of the Title and Bill of Sale to US customs ahead of time.  They need 3 business days to do a "background check" on the vehicle before they will let it leave the US.  Before you leave, it might be worth the time to drive down to the border, park on the Canadian side and walk to the US customs office and talk to them, get the forms etc for the procedure since each border crossing may do things their own way....I know in BC it was pretty straight forward.

As long as the vehicle is 15 years old or more it will be easy to bring it into Canada...from anywhere....this is why many Eurpean vanagons are imported into Canada and not the US.  (the US makes it difficult to import vehicles from countries other than Canada unless they are 25 or more years old).

"Salvage" vehicles are often not very desirable and often priced well below a clear title vehicle.  Sometimes 50% less because many buyers don't want to go near a salvage vehicle.  However, I've seen Vanagons with Salvage titles that were perfectly good vehicles.

I've also seen US "salvaged" vehicles that end up being registered in Canada and the salvage designation disappears when the Canadian DMV registers it...however, a Carfax report will still show it was previously a salvage vehicle....yet another reason for Carfax/autocheck when buying any used vehicle.

Hope this helps, it's not that hard to deal with the border folks.  Well worth the trouble if you find a good vehicle.